Chocolate Chip Meringue Cookies

Total Time

Prep: 20 min. Bake: 20 min. + cooling

Makes

2 dozen

Updated: Aug. 22, 2023
These chocolate chip meringue cookies are one of my most popular recipes. Shape them into hearts for Valentine's Day or make them as drop cookies for other occasions. —Debbie Tilley, Riverview, Florida
Chocolate Chip Meringue Cookies Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 3 large egg whites, room temperature
  • 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 3 tablespoons baking cocoa
  • 3 tablespoons miniature semisweet chocolate chips
  • 3 tablespoons finely crushed almonds or walnuts, optional

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 300°. In a large bowl, beat egg whites until foamy. Add cream of tartar and salt; beat until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating on high speed until stiff peaks form, about 6 minutes. Beat in cocoa. Fold in chocolate chips and, if desired, nuts.
  2. Transfer meringue mixture to a pastry bag fitted with a #806 round pastry tip. Pipe 1-in. circles or 1-1/2-in. hearts 2 in. apart onto parchment-lined baking sheets.
  3. Bake until firm to the touch, 20-25 minutes. Turn off oven (do not open oven door); leave meringues in oven 1 hour. Remove and cool completely on baking sheets. Remove meringues from paper; store in an airtight container at room temperature.
Chocolate Chip Meringue Cookies Tips

Do I have to use a piping bag to make chocolate chip meringue cookies?

While a piping bag makes for more uniform meringue cookies, it’s not a necessity! If you can’t get your hands on a piping bag, you can simply use a tablespoon to drop cookies by the spoonful onto the baking sheet. If you're looking for something that works like a piping bag, a Ziploc bag with the corner snipped off does the trick!

Why did my chocolate chip meringue cookies crack?

Meringues can crack because of the sudden change in temperature when you take them out of the oven. To help with this, turn the oven off when meringues are cooked, but leave them inside until completely cool. Meringues will also crack if too much air is whipped into them, which creates large air bubbles that split open when baked. Check out our tips for making the perfect meringue every time.

How should I store chocolate chip meringue cookies?

Once the meringues are cool, place them in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers to prevent them from sticking. Store at room temperature for up to 2 weeks, or keep them in the freezer for up to 1 month. These meringue cookie recipes are just a few of our favorites!

—Ellie Crowley, Taste of Home Culinary Assistant

Nutrition Facts

1 each: 43 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 32mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.